POLICE are investigating after a bus driver taking supporters home from Sunderland’s defeat to Liverpool FC claimed his vehicle came under attack from a stone-throwing gang.

A smashed window on a Sunderland supporters coach, in a picture posted on Twitter

5pm update

POLICE are investigating after a bus driver taking supporters home from Sunderland’s defeat to Liverpool FC claimed his vehicle came under attack from a stone-throwing gang.

Fans travelling back to the North East after the 3-0 Anfield loss at Anfield on Wednesday claimed one bus had its window smashed after an object was thrown as it moved through post-match traffic close to the stadium.

A second bus following close behind was also said to have been damaged.

Pictures claiming to show the damage were posted on social networking sites, and police yesterday said they had received a report from one of the bus drivers.

Mal Robinson, editor in chief of Sunderland fanzine Seventy3, was travelling on a bus shared by the fanzine and the club’s South Shields supporters’ group.

He said: “The bus was pulling away from the Arkles pub when it slowed down close to a takeaway.

“We noticed some lads stood on the pavement and all of a sudden stones were being thrown.

“One smashed the outer layer of the window on the side of our bus.

“A bus from Jarrow was a few yards behind us and that was also hit, although no windows were damaged.

“It was quite a shock because it had not been that sort of game at all. The atmosphere had been quiet and there was no sign of any problems. There was nothing to suggest the lads we saw had been to the match and they were not wearing club colours.

“I have been to Anfield and Goodison many times before and never experienced anything like this.”

A police spokesman said: “Merseyside Police can confirm that we have now received a single report of damage to a football supporters coach leaving the Anfield area last night.

“A driver of one of the coaches called the force this afternoon (Thursday, January 3) to say that a window had been smashed by an object thrown from outside a chip shop on Stanley Park Avenue South.

“Enquiries will be now carried out to investigate the matter further.

“Last night's match was held in good spirits with very few incidents given the large numbers of people attending.

“We always provide a highly-visible police presence to reassure fans and residents alike on matchday so it is disappointing that a small number of mindless individuals have sought to spoil the night for a group of fans visiting our city.”

Original story

MERSEYSIDE Police are investigating reports that buses carrying Sunderland supporters home from last night’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool FC were damaged.

Fans travelling back to the North East after the 3-0 defeat claimed two buses had their windows smashed after objects were thrown as they moved through post-match traffic in the County Road area.

Pictures claiming to show the damage were posted on social networking sites.

This morning Merseyside Police confirmed they were looking in to the incidents.

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